Son of Marine colonel plays in Semper Fi Bowl

Photo By Sgt. Rebecca Eller | Sean Dowling, Fallbrook Union High School's offensive lineman and one of California's top high school football stars performs inch worm push-ups during practice for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl at the Santa Ana Stadium, Santa Ana, Calif., Jan 2. The Semper Fi Bowl is the culmination of the Marine Corps' Semper Fidelis Football Program, through which the Marine Corps purposefully engages with well-rounded student athletes to share leadership lessons that will enable success in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rebecca Eller)  

ANAHEIM, CA, UNITED STATES

01.03.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Rebecca Eller 

Marine Corps Recruiting Command           

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Standing at 6' 6" tall and weighing in at 265 pounds, Sean Dowling is still a senior in high school and is already built like a professional National Football League player.

Dowling, offensive lineman from Fallbrook Union High School is set to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl held in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 4. More than 100 football athletes were selected to play in the East vs. West game based on not only their football skills but also academic excellence, physical fitness and character.

"Throughout bowl week, players engage with U.S. Marines and professional and college football coaches to develop skills and values important to football and a successful life," said Maj. John Caldwell, public affairs officer of Marine Corps Recruiting Command. "Marines reinforce the applicability of our core values of honor, courage and commitment to success both on and off the gridiron."

The Marine Corps leadership traits are nothing new to Dowling - his father is a Marine colonel.

"My father being a Marine colonel, I've been living within the confides of the Marine Corps my whole life," said Dowling. "It's a big deal to me to be able to represent not only the Marine Corps but my family and all the people that I know."

Watching is father preserve through hard times and maintain bearing inspired Dowling to hold the same character and learned at a young age to do the right thing even when no one was looking.

"The skills we learn on the football field are relatable to later in life," said Dowling. "The Marine Corps ethos and 14 leadership traits are all applicable to football in doing the best you can, if you're able to apply all those to your game, you're going to be successful."

• Date Taken: 01.03.2013
• Date Posted: 01.03.2013 18:33
• Story ID: 99894
• Location: ANAHEIM, CA, US